Disu Tightens Police Command Control Ahead Of 2027 Elections

The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has placed senior police officers under tighter operational control ahead of the 2027 general elections, ordering personnel assigned to election security duties to suspend their leave and remain available for deployment.

The directive is part of a wider effort to strengthen police readiness, prevent political interference and improve security operations as the country prepares for another general election.

Disu announced the measures on Wednesday during a monthly conference with strategic senior officers of the Nigeria Police Force in Abuja.

Under the new directive, all leave granted to officers and men assigned election security responsibilities has been cancelled with immediate effect. Commissioners of Police and other senior officers have also been instructed to remain within their respective commands until the conclusion of the electoral process.

The IGP further directed that any senior officer seeking to travel outside his or her area of responsibility must first obtain approval from Force Headquarters.

The move is intended to ensure that police commands remain under the supervision of their leadership throughout the election period and can respond promptly to emerging security challenges.

Disu also ordered Commissioners of Police to assess the condition and availability of election security equipment, communication facilities, operational vehicles and protective gear. Reports on their readiness are expected to reach the Force Headquarters.

To improve coordination, police commands are expected to establish direct working arrangements with the Independent National Electoral Commission, the military, the Department of State Services and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.

The police chief warned officers against allowing politicians or political groups to use their positions to influence the electoral process.

He said the police must remain neutral and provide equal protection to candidates, political parties, their supporters and eligible voters, regardless of political affiliation.

Disu warned that officers found collaborating with political actors, facilitating thuggery, compromising election security or interfering with voters’ rights would face disciplinary action.

Beyond preparations for the polls, the IGP directed an intensified response to banditry in affected parts of the country. He acknowledged that attacks were continuing in some states and ordered Commissioners of Police in affected commands to submit updated security threat assessments and operational requirements within 72 hours.

He also directed the immediate deployment of additional personnel, operational vehicles and air support to communities facing serious bandit threats. The Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Operations is to coordinate the deployment with the affected commands.

The police leadership is also seeking stronger intelligence cooperation with traditional rulers, village heads, hunters’ associations and local vigilante groups to improve the identification of criminal networks and prevent attacks.

Disu disclosed that the Force had arrested 218 suspects linked to banditry and terrorism, 85 suspected armed robbers, 129 suspects for murder and culpable homicide, 59 suspected kidnappers and 120 suspected cultists since the last strategic officers’ conference.

He added that 95 kidnapped victims had been rescued, while 306 firearms, 630 rounds of ammunition and 116 stolen vehicles were recovered during the period.

The IGP also directed Commissioners of Police to ensure that outstanding death benefits and entitlements owed to families of officers who died in active service were paid without further delay.

He ordered a welfare audit across police commands to identify unpaid entitlements, accommodation problems and other pressing concerns, with reports expected within 30 days.

The new directives place greater responsibility on police commanders to demonstrate operational readiness, maintain discipline and ensure that the Force is prepared to handle election-related security challenges without neglecting other threats across the country.

For the 2027 elections, the challenge will be to translate the orders into effective field operations while ensuring that police personnel protect voters and the electoral process without political bias.